Page 42 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘If he punishes Mimi, I…’

‘I know.’ Jules strokes his cheekbone. This boy stirs such love inside a heart that was only ever meant to be stone. ‘We’ll protect her.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Lachlan, I’m worried about you.’

‘I’m fine. I’ll be back soon. Wait with Danya.’

He leaves Jules and walks into the West Wing.

Maddox opens the door for Lachlan when he knocks.

Penhalyx sits behind his vast desk in a dark three-piece suit, silver hair swept neatly back and one hand resting beside the currently dormant glass screen embedded in the walnut. He looks immaculately composed, but Lachlan knows him well enough to read his displeasure.

‘Tell me the moment he arrives,’ Penhalyx directs Maddox.

‘Absolutely, sir.’

Maddox leaves them alone.

Penhalyx surveys Lachlan slowly, giving him a full up-and-down.

‘So. Walk me through it.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Lachlan swallows nervously, struggling to level himself out. He jams a thumb into his wrist behind his back. ‘Four nights ago—’

‘Sit.’

‘Thank you, sir. There was a… th-there was a…’

‘You’re not breathing.’

Lachlan pretends his hands aren’t trembling.

He pretends he’s not dizzy, weak and utterly useless.

Make-believe and pretence and denial, it’s all he has.

Penhalyx gives a rough sigh as he walks out from behind the desk and then, to Lachlan’s surprise, kneels in front of him.

‘Take a deep breath for me.’

Lachlan has forgotten how.

‘It w-was my fault, sir.’

‘Look at me, Lachlan. Eyes on me, there we go. Let’s reset the energy, shall we? I know very well that Jessamine shot and killed that woman.’

Lachlan says nothing, petrified.

Penhalyx rubs Lachlan’s hands as if they’re friends.

‘My daughter idolises you so much that this was likely inevitable. Breathe,’ he says again, smiling warmly. ‘We are family, Lachlan. It was a mistake, a serious one, yes, but I am hardly devastated about the loss. I was planning on relocating her anyway. She was a headache in more ways than one.’ The old man’s warmth fades slightly. ‘The manner of her passing is not why I have returned.’

‘It’s not?’

‘Have a drink with me, Lachlan.’